Description
Rorke's Drift 1879 Against all odds DVD 1994 The history of Warfare / Cromwell Productions / Narrated by Hu Pryce / The War File DVD series
UPC 5022802210710
REGION 0 PAL DVD (ALL REGIONS)
MADE IN EU
AUDIO: English 2.0
RUNTIME: 55 MINUTES
English Summary:
The story of history's most famous rearguard action The story of the extraordinary events of January 22nd 1879 has never lost any of its fascination. The defence of Rorke's Drift by a handful of British redcoat soldiers provides history with a tale of incredible courage and valour qualities displayed by the brave men of both sides who fought to the death on that momentous day. While Britain cheered its heroes she also plotted a merciless revenge on the Zulu nation. Featuring extensive re-enactment action footage and dramatised 'eye-witness' accounts of the battle this DVD tells the story of the British soldiers who successfully defended Rorke's Drift against more than 4000 Zulu warriors. It also includes period images and photographs computer graphics and expert comment from Ian Knight one of the world's leading authorities on the Zulu Wars.
SCENE SELECTION:
Introduction
Declaring War
Rorke’s Drift
Time Runs Out
Devastation At Isandlwana
Defending Rorke’s Drift
Hook The Hero
View At First Light
The Famous Victory
The Royal Commendation
SPECIAL FEATURES
Test Your Knowledge
Picture Gallery ¢ Interactive Menus
Excerpts From Other Titles In The Series
The Battle of Rorke's Drift, also known as the Defence of Rorke's Drift, was an engagement in the Anglo-Zulu War. The successful defence of the mission station of Rorke's Drift, under the command of Lieutenants John Chard of the Royal Engineers and Gonville Bromhead, began when a large contingent of Zulu warriors broke off from their main force during the final hour of the British defeat at the day-long Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879, diverting 6 miles (9.7 km) to attack Rorke's Drift later that day and continuing into the following day.
Just over 150 British and colonial troops defended the station against attacks by 3,000 to 4,000 Zulu warriors. The massive but piecemeal attacks by the Zulu on Rorke's Drift came very close to defeating the much smaller garrison, but were consistently repelled. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders, along with a number of other decorations and honours.
